Antique Paints Blog
What Is the Best Type of Paint to Use on Melamine Furniture in India?
In Indian homes, Melamine furniture is extremely common. Melamine boards are used from wardrobes to modular kitchen cabinets and office desks owing to their sleek look, affordability, and stain resistance. However, the smooth and non-potous surface of the Melamine can make it hard to paint the same. The ordinary paint doesn’t stick well to the glossy surface, which leads to peeling and flaking over the period of time. So you must be wondering what’s the best type of paint to use on melamine furniture? Well the answer to this question lies in using the right primer and high-adhesion topcoat. Using correct products of your furniture would lead to long lasting results. If you’re wondering which paints work best and how to make them stick, this step-by-step guide has you covered. Plus, we’ll discuss top paint types available from leading paint manufacturers in India and tips to get a professional finish.
Can You Actually Paint Melamine?
Well, yes painting melamine furniture is absolutely possible. The only reason why you see most of the DIY jobs fail in melamine is because of poor adhesion. Melamine has a plastic based coating which repels the standard paints. However, with a bit of surface prepping and a good bonding primer, you can also paint it in a way that it lasts for years. This particular trick applies to all the Melamine furniture in India. You can paint popular IKEA pieces like the MALM dresser or KALLAX shelf, as well as wardrobes and cabinets made by local modular furniture
manufacturers with the help of right coating.
Choosing the Best Paint for Melamine
You must understand that not all the paints are created equally, especially when it comes to painting on slick surfaces. Below we have discussed some of the best paint types for melamine depending on your finish and durability goals.
For Maximum Durability: Urethane Alkyd Enamel Paint
KhuUrethane Alkyd Enamel Paint is for furniture that sees heavy daily usage such as kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, or tabletops. It is sold as Synthetic Enamel Paint in India. This paint turns into rock-hard finish saving your furniture from scratches, water, and everyday wear.
● Why It Works: Urethane resins help in making the paint film extremely durable.
● Best For: Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, desks, tabletops.
● Finish Options: Glossy, high-gloss, and semi-gloss.
● Top Brands in India: Antique Paints Synthetic Enamel, one of the best paint manufacturers in Ahmedabad and India
For Ease of Use: 100% Acrylic Cabinet and Trim Enamel
For DIY enthusiasts, who are looking for an easy to apply solution, then 100% acrylic enamel paint is a great choice. Being water-based, it’s low in VOCs, easy to clean, and dries faster.
● Why It Works: Acrylic paints are more flexible, which makes them less prone to cracking over time.
● Best For: Cabinets, shelves, and indoor furniture.
● Top Indian Products: Antique Paints Apcolite DIY Acrylic Spray Paint and other multi-surface paints.
For a Matte or Distressed Look: Chalk Paint
If you love vintage or matte look for your furniture then chalk paint can work beautifully with melamine. However, one thing that you need to take care of is sealing.
● Why It Works: Chalk paint provides a soft, matte finish and is great when it comes to creating distressed effects.
● Extra Step: You would need to seal the paint using wax or varnish in order to make it durable and water resistant.
● Best For: Accent pieces, upcycled furniture, DIY projects.
What Kind of Primer Will Stick to Melamine?
Primer is one of the most important things to consider while painting on a melamine surface. It helps the paint to grip the slick surface, and without it even the best paint won’t last.
The Gold Standard: Shellac-Based Primers
Shellac based primers are famous around the world for their unbeatable adhesion to glossy surfaces like melamine, laminate, and tiles. They also help in blocking stains and prevent yellowing, this comes in handy while painting with light colours.
● Pros: Excellent adhesion, fast drying, stain-blocking.
● Cons: Strong odor, requires good ventilation.
● Available In India: Shellac primers from Indian paint manufacturers such as Antique Paints.
The Low-Odor Alternative: High-Adhesion Bonding Primers
If odor or ventilation is your concern, then bonding primers are a great choice to go with. They are formulated to stick to hard-to-paint surfaces and are more comfortable to use indoors.
● Pros: Low odor, good adhesion.
● Best Use: When painting melamine in smaller or enclosed spaces.
● Products: Look for “adhesive primer” or “bonding primer” from professional paint manufacturers in India.
How to Prepare Melamine for Painting: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Cleaning and Degreasing the Surface
Cleaning is very important before you start painting the surface. Melamine furniture can collect dust and grease over time especially in the kitchen, so clean them properly with a mild detergent. With a clean surface you can ensure that the primer binds properly.
Step 2: Do You Need to Sand Melamine Before Painting? (Spoiler: Yes)
Yes, light sanding is important before starting to paint. You don’t need to remove the melamine layer completely. Use a 150 220 grit sandpaper to “key” the surface. This way you’ll be able to create microscopic scratches that would help the primer grip better.
Step 3: Wiping Away All Dust for a Flawless
Finish Once you have sanded the surface, wipe it with a nice lint free cloth to remove all the dust. Make sure the furniture is completely dry before applying primer.
How to Paint Melamine Cabinets and Furniture Without Peeling?
Applying the Primer for a Perfect Bond
First start with applying a small coat of primer using a foam roller for smooth surfaces. Make sure to let it dry before applying a second coat if needed. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat for strong adhesion.
How to Get a Smooth Finish Without Brush Marks?
In order to get best results, use a foam roller or a high-density microfibre roller. For corners and edges make sure to use high quality synthetic brush. Apply thin, even coats of paint and resist the urge to overwork it once it starts drying.
How Long to Wait Between Coats (And Why Curing Time Matters)?
First you must understand that drying and curing are not the same thing. Paint can feel dry when you touch it within hours, but curing can take up to a week. Between two coats you should wait a few hours or you can contact manufacturers for further instructions. Allow at least 7 days before heavy use. This step is crucial for durability. Rushing can lead to chipping or peeling.
Conclusion
Painting a melamine furniture involves lots of things such as surface preparation, choosing the right primer, and allowing adequate curing time. For all this to be successful you need quality primer and paint from a trusted Indian brand such as Antique paints. Being one of the best paint companies in India we officially offer a wide range of melamine paint types and bonding primers designed to make your painting projects last for years.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the best way to paint IKEA furniture like a MALM dresser or KALLAX shelf?
Ans: Their painting process is the same as melamine. Start by sanding and degreasing the surface then lightly sand it. Further use a good primer followed by an enamel paint.
Q2. Can I paint melamine without sanding it first?
Ans: Technically yes, however light sanding is strongly recommended for the best results. If you skip this step then you increase the risk of peeling over time.
Q3. What kind of roller should I use for painting melamine?
Ans: A foam roller is a great choice for painting melamine. It helps apply thin, smooth coats without creating texture on the glossy surface.
Q4. How do I fix chips or scratches on painted melamine?
Ans: Small chips can be fixed with light sand and some touchup with prime and topcoat. Re-priming and repainting is needed for deeper scratches.
Q5. What is the most durable paint for a high-traffic melamine desk or
tabletop?
Ans: For maximum durability, Urethane Alkyd Enamel Paint is the best paint for melamine. It creates a tough, chemical-resistant finish perfect for high-use areas.
